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'In 1920 he started with the New York Yankees and I have heard for many years what's the worst trade in the history of sports? Babe Ruth, 19-year-old pitcher, for $100,000 and a 35-year-old third baseman,' stated Trump.

'That was not a good trade. Of course, $100,000 is probably like $25 million today, but it was still a lousy deal. But he became one of the greatest hitters of all time. They drafted him, they took him as a pitcher but knew they wanted to make him a hitter.'

Ruth was 25 when he was traded to the Yankees, and a key factor in that trade was his transition from pitcher to outfielder because he wanted to hit more, an opportunity pitching did not afford him as he had to sit out in between starts.

It was also the most money ever paid in for a trade in the history of the sport at that time.

'The Babe hit 714 home runs, a record that stood for nearly 40 years, and people often would say that was a somewhat dead ball, didn't have the life the ball has today,' said Trump.

'He would often hit more home runs in a season than the league average for an entire team. In one season he hit more home runs than the entire American league. How do you do that? To this day his career slugging percentage of .690 remains the highest in the history of baseball. Hard to believe, actually.'

Those stats are almost all completely accurate, with Ruth holding his record from his retirement in 1935 until 1973 when he was surpassed by Hank Aaron and still the all-time slugging percentage titleholder.

Ruth never came close however to hitting more home runs than the entire American league.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BIZARRE TRIBUTE TO BABE RUTH

It is also my honor today to award the Medal of Freedom to one of the most celebrated sports heroes in world history. The "Sultan of Swat," the “Great Bambino” -- the one and only Babe Ruth. He truly is -- when you think -- I mean, let’s face it, Babe Ruth is Babe Ruth. Right?

George Herman "Babe" Ruth, Jr. -- he was a "junior" -- I can imagine what his father was like -- he must have been tough -- lived from 1895 to 1948, learning the game of baseball from Catholic Brothers at his orphanage. At the age of 19, he was signed by the Boston Red Sox as a pitcher, and soon became one of the best pitchers in baseball. People don’t know that. Babe Ruth was one of the best pitchers. He still has records today.

In 1920, he started with the New York Yankees. And I have heard for many years -- what’s the worst trade in the history of sports? Babe Ruth, 19-year-old pitcher, for $100,000 and a 35-year-old third baseman. That was not a good trade -- who was out of baseball the following season. That was not good. Of course, $100,000 is probably like $25 million today, but it was still a lousy deal.

But he became one of the greatest hitters of all-time. They drafted him. They took him as a pitcher, but they knew they wanted to make him a hitter. In fact, we have George Steinbrenner IV -- George Steinbrenner was one of my best friends. He was tough. He was tough, but he was good. Where is George Steinbrenner IV -- his grandson? He’s here someplace. Where is he? Thank you very much. Would you say hello to the family? That’s very nice that you’re here. Please. George -- George was a real piece of work, I have to tell you that. Your grandfather was very difficult, but he was good. He had a good heart. Sitting with George during the playoffs, as I often had to do, was like you’d go home exhausted. It was exhausting. So thank you for being here. Thank you very much.

The Babe hit 714 homeruns -- a record that stood for nearly 40 years. And people often would say that was a somewhat dead ball; it didn’t have the life the ball has today. He would often hit more homeruns in a season than the league average for an entire team. And, in one season, hit more homeruns than the entire American League. How do you do that? To this day, his career slugging percentage of 690 remains the highest in the history of baseball. Hard to believe, actually.

The Babe was also known for his devotion to our nation and its children. He visited countless children in hospitals and orphanages, supported more than 100 charities, raised money, and raised hell. He was -- maybe that’s why it’s taken him a long time to get this award. This award should have been given to him a long time ago. I said, "You mean Babe Ruth hasn’t gotten it?" We took care of that real fast. But he was incredible. But he raised a lot of money for the war effort during World War II.

As we honor the legend who enshrined baseball as "America’s Pastime," we are excited to be joined by a number of Babe Ruth’s descendants, including his grandchildren Donna Analovitch and Tom Stevens. And I want to thank you very much for being here. Please stand up. Please. Thank you very much.

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President Trump claims people 'don't know Babe Ruth was a pitcher,' says he played on four MLB teams